Richard Chamberlain enjoyed success as a leading man in in films such as The Towering Inferno, The Last Wave, The Three Musketeers and two sequels, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Music Lovers, The Slipper and the Rose, The Lady's Not For Burning, and Lady Caroline Lamb (playing Lord Byron). 

He starred in the theatre including: My Fair lady, The Sound of Music and Hamlet.

Since the 1990's Richard Chamberlain has mostly appeared in television movies and as a guest star on series including The Drew Carey Show and Will & Grace. In the fall of 2005, Chamberlain appeared in the title role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Broadway National Tour of Scrooge: The Musical. In 2006, Chamberlain guest starred in an episode of the hit BBC drama series Hustle as well as season 4 on Nip/Tuck. In 2007, Chamberlain guest starred in episode 80 (Season 4, Episode 8, "Distant Past") of Desperate Housewives as Glen Wingfield, Lynette Scavo's stepfather. In 2008 and 2009 he appeared as King Arthur in the national tour of Monty Python's Spamalot.

Richard Chamberlain resides in Hawaii, with his partner since the mid-1970s, Martin Rabbett. At the age of 69, he came out as such in his biography, Shattered Love.